Environment Waikato has put on hold any decisions about the removal of mangroves in Whangamata Harbour to allow time to consult with iwi and other stakeholders about further opportunities to consider the draft Whangamata Harbour and catchment plans.

A Bucklands poultry farmer whose indoor egg laying operation caused such a bad stench that school pupils had to be sent home has been fined $17,500 in the Pukekohe District Court following a prosecution by Environment Waikato.

Environment Waikato is warning of consequences if the small number of farmers who continue to graze too many stock during the 2008 winter, and do not get benchmarked, remain in breach of new rules designed to stop too much nitrogen leaching into Lake Taupo.

Work to complete the last length of stopbank within the critical Waihou Valley Scheme is due to get underway on Monday 10 March, as Environment Waikato moves to finish the scheme that protects properties beside the Hikutaia River in the Thames-Coromandel district.

The Regional Land Transport Committee has today strongly affirmed its commitment to the current Waikato Expressway programme after Land Transport New Zealand asked for more information and work before it could commit funds. The committee includes representatives of all of Waikato’s territorial authorities and the regional council.